Most factories in Ashulia reopen amid tightened security

Most garment factories in Dhaka's Ashulia industrial area resumed operations today as law and order improved amid strict vigilance of law enforcement agencies.

Only 16 factories remained closed in Savar, Ashulia, and Zirani today, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The number was 49 on Saturday. 

Six factories in Ashulia remained closed under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act. These include Generation Next, Pearl Garments, Mango Tex, Marma Composite, Xinjie Caps & Bags.

Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act says that an employer may, in the event of an illegal strike in any section or department of any establishment, close down either wholly or partly such section or establishment.

Besides, four factories, including Susaka and Sigma Fashion, granted paid leave to workers, according to BGMEA. Production was halted in six factories, including Mondol Knitwear, Radiance Knitwear, and Lusaka Group. 

A senior official from a major garment group told TBS, "We closed our factory yesterday for safety reasons, but today, all our units have resumed operations. Workers have returned voluntarily, and all activities are proceeding normally."

The situation that prevailed over the last two weeks has improved significantly, and overall, the environment is now normal, added the official.

Law enforcement agencies continue to maintain strict vigilance in the area, with joint forces patrolling the region to ensure security.

According to Ashulia Industrial Police-1, there are 1,863 factories in the area, the majority of which are garment factories.

The apparel industries located in Savar, Ashulia, and Zirani, on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka have become the main victims of the ongoing labour unrest.

According to industry insiders, the unrest initially stemmed from internal issues at a few specific factories and has since escalated.

Committee visits factories

The newly-formed Labour Grievance Monitoring Committee visited various garment factories in Ashulia this morning, where they held discussions with workers and owners of various factories.

After the inspection of a factory of Anant Group in Ashulia at around 11am, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Labour Md Sabur Hossain told the media, "We want to know the demands, objections and complaints of the factory owners, workers and related parties. We have a hotline number 16357, WhatsApp group and email address through which we can also be reached."

He said that following the formation of the 11-member committee last Wednesday, a meeting was held the next day regarding the committee's scope of work and operations.

"As per the decision of that meeting, we have come to Ashulia today to solve the situation arising in the industrial area," he added.

Workers Federation raises 15 demands

The National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) today outlined 15 demands, including the payment of salaries and allowances in all factories within seven working days.

The federation, during a press conference at the National Press Club also called for the immediate punishment of those responsible for the killing of 11 garment workers, including eight of their members.

"During the student movement, 800 people lost their lives, including 200 garment workers," Amirul Haque Amin, the president of NGWF, claimed.

He further said, "Incidents of factory vandalism, arson, and attacks have occurred in some places. We have seen outsiders creating chaos in the industrial areas in the name of labour protests. We urge our garment worker brothers and sisters to refrain from violence.

Other key demands include ensuring adequate compensation and rehabilitation for the families of the deceased federation members and workers, the immediate withdrawal of 43 false cases filed against 20,000 garment workers during the recent wage protests, stopping the illegal blacklisting of workers, and cancelling all previous blacklists.

They further called for the immediate introduction of a rationing system for 42 lakh garment workers and other low-income employees, expedited resolution of labour court cases, and the reform of existing labour laws and regulations in Bangladesh in accordance with ILO Conventions 87 and 98.